Children’s Outpatients

We see children from 0 to 5yrs

Our Children's Outpatient department is open from 8am to 7:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 8:00pm on Saturdays.

The Cradle Hospital does not have an Accident and Emergency department however our Urgent Referral Clinic is usually able to accommodate same day appointments and is open on weekdays and Saturdays but there will be a waiting period..

Appointments with a paediatrician can be made by contacting the Hospital on 40202222  

Children's Inpatients

Our paediatric unit is open at all times for elective and urgent admissions. It offers a comfortable, calm and reassuring 'home from home' environment to accommodate any length of stay.
The paediatric unit is equipped with advanced medical technology and facilities. Should the need arise a 6-bedded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Our child friendly rooms are private, en-suite and include a nurse call system, direct dial one, colour television, video, fridge and air conditioning. Our facilities enable one parent or care to stay overnight with their child to ensure they are able to actively participate in their child's care.

The length of stay for our child patients is dependent upon their condition and treatment administered. The Consultant will decide when it is appropriate to discharge the child. Children are admitted for short stay and long term rehabilitation.

New Born Screening Test

A Drop of Blood Could Change Your Baby's Life Forever

Future Kidz is a non governmental organisation and is the first one to launch the world's most affordable new born screening program in India, in technological collaboration with Australian Neo Natal Screening Cent re (ANSC) , Adelaide, Australia. ANSC was set up in the year 1969 and is one of the world's first and the biggest new born screening centers.

The role of Future Kidz is to raise awareness among the general public & medical faculty about the importance of screening in newborns. Babies in India also have the same rights as any of the babies in the developed world. This screening test helps to identify and diagnose infants who are at risk of developing one of these screened disorders. This enables early medical intervention to prevent, or significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the screened disorder.

Q. What is Future Kidz Newborn Screening (NBS) Program?

A. NBS is one of the most 'essential' preventive health care program which tests babies who look absolutely normal at birth. Future Kidz NBS program screens for over 44 uncommon but serious disorders which are know as Inborn errors of Metabolism (IEM) which can be fatal and cause brain damage, physical disabilities or even death if not diagnosed and treated early. The screening test, tests well children who show no signs that they might have a problem, pick up problems that they are born with and then help treat them. This test is mandatory in most developed countries, where screening all new borns is a part of the post natal care for more than three decades now.

Q. What are Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM)?

A. These are disorders caused by the accumulation of chemicals produced naturally in the body to abnormal levels. The symptoms manifest themselves in a variety of ways; slow physical development or brain damage. In some cases, they could even result in DEATH. Unfortunately, most infants with
these disorders show no signs of these conditions at birth. If these conditions are detected at birth by NBS.

Q. Why is the test done?

A. The test is done to find out if your baby has any of these IEM's for which early treatment can prevent, mental retardation, brain damage, physical disability or DEATH

Q. How is the test performed?

A. The test is performed by simply pricking a baby's heel and collecting a few drops of blood on a special filter paper. The paper is allowed to dry and then sent to the newborn screening laboratory where several different tests will be performed using an advance technology called 'Tandem Mass Spectrometry'. The heel prick does not cause any harm to your baby. A fresh specialized needle called 'lancet' is used for every baby, which is present in every collection kit. Hence, there is no chance of any kind of infections.

Q. But we have no family history of these disorders . . .

A. Parents who have no family history of problems and/or who have already had healthy children can still have children with these disorders. In fact, most children with these disorders come from families with no previous history of the condition.

Q. But my baby looks healthy . . .

A. Most babies with disorders look and act abasolutely normal and seem perfectly healthy. The newborn screening test helps your doctor catch a problem with your baby before it makes him or her sick. Most babies that are diagnosed and treated early do well. The earlier the disorder is detected, the higher the chance of having a good prognosis.

Q. What disorders can Newborn Screening identify?

A. Future Kidz tests babies for over 44 metabolic disorders from a dried blood spot. These disorders are present at birth and are often serious. Some are passed on from parents while others are caused by a chemical imbalance. Some are life threatening while others may slow down physical development or cause brain damage or other problems. These disorders can affect a child early in life, often within the first few days or weeks of life. This is why it is important to identify babies with these disorders as early as possible.

Q. What are the chances that my baby will have one of these disorders?

A. Infant mortality rate in the developed countries is roughly around 5 to 10 every 1000, where as in India this nearly 10 times more i.e., the chance of a baby dying in the first year or two is 10 times more than that of a developed country. Most doctors who are aware of these diseases agree that atleast 15 to 20% of the deaths in our country are preventable by screening.

Q. How can these disorders be treated?

A. Most of these conditions can be treated if diagnosed early. The Symptoms and effects can be decreased if they are detected and treated early, leading to reasonably normal life. Most of these disorders have treatment like controlled and special diets for the baby.

Q. When should I register for this service & When is the test done?

A. Usually you are advised to register any time during the course of your pregnancy and get your screening kit. However, if you have missed out on registering early then you can also register immediately after the delivery of your new born.

This test is usually done when your baby is 48 hours to 13 days old. However, even older babies upto the age of 2 can be screened. But, the actual benefit of this test can be obtained only if it is done early so that the disorder can be diagnosed early and hence treated early.

Q. When will I get the results of the test?

A. Abnormal test results will be directly communicated to the Doctor / Parents within 5 to 7 days. Normal results will be communicated to the doctor / Parents within 10 - 12 working days. So, go ahead and give us a call to register and get your Screening Kit today.

Give your baby a healthy start

Disclaimer: “Newborn Screening” is a screening test, hence has its own limitations. Some disorders when screened negative has 100% specificity of being negative, but some disorders may have a specificity of being in the range of 90 to 95%, hence does not rule out the disease in its entirety. If any doubts or clarifications please contact your doctor.

New Born Hearing Screening Test

Babies and Deafness

Deafness is the most common disability in India. Approximately 1 baby in 500 to 800 is born with a hearing loss in both ears. Early diagnosis of hearing loss is the key to successful early intervention. Early intervention means parents can be given support and information as soon as
possible. If hearing loss is ignored, your baby may have speech, language and learning problems.

Some important points:

• Babies who are detected early can get quick access to further testing.
• Deaf babies can be helped as soon as a hearing loss is diagnosed.
• Early diagnosis and intervention of a hearing loss is essential for the development of speech and language.
• Children whose hearing loss is identified before 6 months of age can achieve normal language within 1-5 years.

Along with the routine health checks a new born baby has, it is a good idea for a hearing test to be carried out also.

Future Kidz offers a hearing screening test for all newborn babies born at this hospital. The screening test is harmless and will not hurt your
baby in any way. You can, of course, stay with your baby while the test is done.

When is the testing done?

Testing can be done as soon as you and your baby are ready. Most babies sleep through the test. After the birth of your baby, you will be
offered this test. You must consent to have this test done.

How is the testing done?

• An Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) machine is used to test your baby’s hearing.
• Small sticky tabs are put on your baby’s nape of neck, shoulder and forehead. Small headphones go over each ear and your baby will hear a soft clicking noise.
• While your baby is asleep the AABR measures a response from your baby’s hearing nerve.
• The test is accurate, quick and reliable. It is also safe, painless and non-invasive.

Results are available immediately. The hearing screener will discuss the results with you.
The results of the test are recorded so that all babies for whom there is the slightest concern can be referred for further testing.

How much does it cost?

The hearing screen test costs Rs.2,500*. If done along with Neonotal Screening(Guthrie Test ), we charge Rs.2000.

What if my baby needs further testing?

If there are any concerns about your baby’s hearing after the screening test you will be referred to a paediatric audiologist. This is a person specially trained to test the hearing of babies and young children.

What if my baby misses the hearing test in hospital?

If you leave the hospital before your baby has the hearing test, you can arrange for your baby to be tested by our trained personnel.
Phone for appointment on (080) 6453 3821 or visit our website www.futurekidz.in
* Prices are subject to review.

Baby Hearing Milestones

The newborn screening test only detects babies with a permanent hearing loss. Many children may have temporary (or conductive) hearing
loss as they begin to grow. If hearing test is done by OAE method, there may be false result of  deafness. But AABR method is more accurate
& hence we recommend this method

Birth to Three Months

• Is startled by or jumps when there is a sudden noise
• Stirs, wakes up or cries when someone talks or makes a noise
• Recognises your voice and quiets when you speak

Three to Six Months

• Turns eyes towards interesting sound
• Appears to listen, may still or stop sucking to an interesting sound
• Awakens easily to loud, sudden sounds

Six to Twelve Months

• Turns head to soft sounds
• Understands “no” and “bye-bye”
• Uses mamma and dada appropriately
• Responds to simple commands like “Where’s teddy?”
• Begins to copy speech sounds